RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WAYNE COUNTY, W.Va. — Hours of undercover investigations in Southern West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky have put another 14 defendants behind bars, with two of those being from Martin County.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Drug Enforcement Unit has worked extensively with surrounding law enforcement, joining forces with the U.S. 119 Drug Task Force centered in Logan County, W.Va., the West Virginia State Police (WVSP), Kentucky State Police (KSP) and county sheriff’s offices from both sides of the Tug Fork River.
According to Wayne County Sheriff Rick Thompson, a recent investigation concentrating on Wayne, Mingo and Martin County resulted in over a dozen arrests on Friday, with additional warrants pending.
Joseph Copley, of Warfield, was charged with Pseudoephedrine/altered precursor of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance. Copley was arrested by members of the drug task force while in Mingo County.
James Harless, of Tomahawk, was arrested by the Martin County Sheriff’s Department on charges of possession with intent to deliver and Pseudoephedrine/altered precursor of methamphetamine.
Timothy Mahon, of Williamson, was taken into custody by the West Virginia State Police and charged with possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy to distribute 5 to 50 grams of methamphetamine and Pseudoephedrine/altered precursor of methamphetamine.
Christopher Parsley, of Williamson, was arrested by the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department and faces charges of aiding and abetting and conspiracy to distribute 5 to 50 grams of methamphetamine.
Bridgett Gartin, of Williamson, was taken into custody by Mingo County deputies and was charged with aiding and abetting, conspiracy to distribute 5 to 50 grams of methamphetamine and Pseudoephedrine/altered precursor of methamphetamine.
William Blankenship, of Crum, was arrested by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and charged with Pseudoephedrine/altered precursor of methamphetamine.
Jessie Jackson, of Genoa, was taken into custody by members of the Wayne County Task Force and charged with one count of intent to deliver.
Jamison Fletcher, of Lavallette, was placed under arrest by the WVSP on charges of Pseudoephedrine/altered precursor of methamphetamine and delivery of a controlled substance.
Melissa Cramer, of Genoa, was arrested by Wayne County deputies and charged with Pseudoephedrine/altered precursor of methamphetamine.
Jason Perdue, of Fort Gay, was arrested by the Fort Gay Police Department and charged with two counts possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy.
Sandra Lycans, of Fort Gay, was arrested by the WVSP and faces charges of one county of Pseudoephedrine/altered precursor of methamphetamine.
Nickolas Perry, of Fort Gay, was taken into custody on one count of Pseudoephedrine/altered precursor of methamphetamine by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.
Gary Miller, of Wayne, was arrested by the Wayne detachment of the WVSP and charged with Pseudoephedrine/altered precursor of methamphetamine.
Allen Flemings, of Kermit, was served with an arrest warrant out of Wayne County while incarcerated in the Powell County, Ky. Detention Center. Charges include fleeing in a vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle.